In Egyptian mythology, Nekhbet (also spelt Nechbet, and Nekhebit) was an early, predynastic, local goddess who was the patron of the city of Nekheb, her name meaning of Nekheb. She was seen as a goddess who had chosen to adopt the city, and consequently depicted as a vulture, a creature that the Egyptians thought only existed as females, having to adopt children. The priestesses of Nekhbet were called muu (mothers), and wore robes of vulture feathers.